The joint announcement revealed that Ant will 'continue to take a break from all television presenting roles until 2019', which includes the 2018 series of I'm a Celeb as well as the pair's joint venture Saturday Night Takeaway.

Although SNT doesn't usually air until February, filming would have usually started by now and would ordinarily continue through until early next year – so there will be no Takeaway in 2019.

'They will instead bring the show back in 2020, bigger and better than ever,' the statement said.

ITV

Ant is continuing to focus on his recovery which, he says, 'is going very well'.

'Having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off,' Ant said. 'I'd like to thank both Dec and ITV for their continued support and I look forward to getting back to work in the new year.'

Dec added: 'Whilst I am obviously sad at the thought of being without my best friend in Australia this year, I am proud of the work Ant has been doing privately and I am fully supportive of his decision. I'm looking forward to us both being reunited on screen in 2019.'

This comes a few weeks after ITV bosses revealed that Ant's return to the channel would happen 'when he's well and when he is ready to come back'.